Wheel hubcap

[purush]

I was wondering if there are any aftermarket hubcaps for XC70 wheels.  The open-webbed design of the wheels make them look rugged.  However, elegance is the last word one might use to describe the wheels.  Hence my search.  Any pointers?

thanks
Purush

[XC TOM]

I don't know if there are any 16 inch wheel cover that would fit Volvo wheels, but I don't think it would be a good idea. The wheel covers I'm familiar with would scratch wheel finish when mounted. This would lead to corrosion  If you really want wheel covers you would be better off getting steel wheels and than shopping for wheel covers. You should keep in mind brake ventilation when choosing wheel covers.
I know it would be costly, but your best bet would be to get new wheels whose appearance pleased you.  One other thing you could do is dress up your current wheels by painting spokes to match color of car and leaving rims silver.
Just a thought.   XC TOM    http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif

[wiz]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (purush @ Mar. 27 2003,07:26)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The open-webbed design of the wheels make them look rugged. However, elegance is the last word one might use to describe the wheels.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I think they&#39;re supposed to look rugged (as distinct from elegant). Do you think that the XC70 is an elegant looking car? It&#39;s pretty ugly really. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

However if you want steel wheels, an older Oz spec. (http://www.autoweb.com.au/cms/news/newsarticle.html?&start=60&showall=&id=VOL&doc=vlv0009117) for a standard Cross Country gives the name &quot;Gaia&quot; for the steel wheels designed for the XC70, and you could also look into the new Xenia wheels (http://xc70.com/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=1;t=1301) that are an option on the MY2004 XC70.

[purush]

Thanks wiz and XC Tom. &nbsp;

I will look into steel wheels.

As regards elegance -- there are angles from which my nautic blue colored color looks elegant and from certain other angles rather pedestrian&#33; &nbsp; &nbsp;Of course, the graphite interior IMHO is definitely elegant. &nbsp; I understand that others might not agree with me &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[wiz]

purush I have the identical car to you - nautic/graphite and I like it a lot. &nbsp;I was just having a bit of fun. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

You should check with your dealer about the steel wheels soon. I believe the Gaia wheels are those sold in the snow tire/wheel packages and you might be able to get wheels cheap since it the end of the snow season...

[Art]

Just a thought here guys, but compared to light weight alloys, wouldn&#39;t steel wheels have a dramatic affect on a car&#39;s unsprung weight? I know they&#39;re pretty popular as stock mounts for winter skins, but would anyone actually consider using them all year round? http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif

[wiz]

They certainly do affect the unsprung weight, but it&#39;s not that big a performance hit especially if you have a turbo. The MY2001 Australian cars had a &quot;standard&quot; version that came with these steel wheels, the &quot;SE&quot; model had the Tellus wheels. There&#39;s a huge difference in the cost factor - a steel wheel costs around U.S. &#036;40-50.